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Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace

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Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace
A black-and-white photo of the artist staring directly into the camera with his hands covering his mouth.
Studio album by
Shabaka
Released12 April 2024
StudioVan Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey
LabelImpulse!
Producer
Shabaka chronology
Afrikan Culture
(2022) 		Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace
(2024)
Singles from Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace
  1. "End of Innocence"
    Released: 28 February 2024

Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace is the solo debut studio album of London jazz musician Shabaka Hutchings, working under the name Shabaka. It is set for release by Impulse! Records on 12 April 2024. The album follows Hutchings' hiatus from the saxophone, and sees him focusing on flutes and related instruments. Hutchings recorded in Van Gelder Studio, sharing producing duties with Dilip Harris, with a long list of collaborators. The album was preceded by one single.

Background and release

On 1 January 2023, Hutchings announced his intention to take an indefinite hiatus from playing the saxophone, explaining later in the year that his enthusiasm for the instrument had waned after years of intense touring.[1] This also coincided with the end of his two bands, Sons of Kemet and the Comet Is Coming.[2][3]

Hutchings' new musical interests lied primarily with the flute and similar instruments, having started with them in 2019 after acquiring his first shakuhachi.[4] Subsequent instruments Hutchings picked up include Mayan Teotihuacan drone flutes, Brazilian pifanos, Native American flutes, and South American quenas.[5] The move coincided with an increase in attention on jazz flute following the release of André 3000's 2023 album New Blue Sun, on which Hutchings contributed shakuhachi to one track.[4]

Hutchings announced the album on 28 February 2024, set for a release on 12 April by Impulse! Records.[6] On the same day, he released its lead single, "End of Innocence", along with a music video directed by Phoebe Boswell.[6] "End of Innocence" sees Hutchings playing the clarinet, with a band consisting of pianist Jason Moran, drummer Nasheet Waits, and percussionist Carlos Niño.[6] Other musicians announced to be on the record include André 3000, Esperanza Spalding, Moses Sumney, Brandee Younger, Floating Points, Laraaji, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, Saul Williams, Lianne La Havas, and Elucid.[6][7]

Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace is Hutchings' solo debut studio album, following his 2022 solo EP Afrikan Culture, which also centered Hutchings' woodwind play.[5][8] The song names on the album were extracted from a poem written for the album.[8]

Recording

The album was recorded in Van Gelder Studio in New Jersey, a place with Hutchings described as having "informed the sound of so many seminal jazz albums that have shaped my musical aptitude".[7] While recording, the musicians didn't wear headphones and weren't separated in the room, enabling them to "capture the atmosphere of simply playing together in the space without a technological intermediary."[7]

Track listing

Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."End of Innocence"Shabaka Hutchings2:37
2."As the Planets and the Stars Collapse"  
3."Insecurities"  
4."Managing My Breath, What Fear Had Become"  
5."The Wounded Need to Be Replenished"  
6."Body to Inhabit"  
7."I'll Do Whatever You Want"  
8."Living"  
9."Breathing"  
10."Kiss Me Before I Forget"  
11."Song of the Motherland"  

Personnel

References

  1. ^ Malt, Andy (4 July 2023). "Shabaka Hutchings explains decision to stop playing saxophone at the end of 2023". Complete Music Update. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  2. ^ Bloom, Madison (1 June 2022). "Sons of Kemet Breaking Up After Final Shows". Pitchfork. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  3. ^ Garratt, Rob (2 October 2023). "What happened to the Comet is Coming? The UK jazz trailblazers are splitting up at the end of 2023, but Shabaka Hutchings' decision to retire from playing the saxophone isn't the whole story..." South China Morning Post. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  4. ^ a b Morris, Hugh (10 January 2024). "The Saxophone Master Shabaka Hutchings Is on a New Journey: Flutes". The New York Times. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  5. ^ a b Monroe, Jazz (28 February 2024). "Shabaka Hutchings Enlists André 3000, Moses Sumney, and More for New Album, Shares Song". Pitchfork. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d DeVille, Chris (28 February 2024). "Shabaka Hutchings Announces Debut Solo Album Feat. André 3000, Moses Sumney, Floating Points, & More". Stereogum. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  7. ^ a b c Eede, Christian (28 February 2024). "Shabaka Hutchings Reveals New LP, Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace". The Quietus. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  8. ^ a b Sacher, Andrew (28 February 2024). "Shabaka taps André 3000, Moses Sumney, Floating Points, Esperanza Spalding & more for new album". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
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